Lefevre St Bakery & Cafe — Restaurant in Medical Lake

Ugh, why do I allow this place to keep hurting me? Like any toxic relationship, over time the disappointment begins to fade, and narratives shift -- maybe it was me? Maybe they've changed? After all, this place has so much potential, so many locals wanting to support them, maybe I should give them another chance. Alas, it is as disappointing as ever: Cost. As many others have mentioned, this place is overpriced even by current standards. I eat breakfast out regularly throughout the region, nowhere else is it $30 BEFORE tip for a meal and a cup of drip coffee ($4.99, which is usually lukewarm). To make matters worse, the prices listed on the menu board are lower than what they charge you, and if you say something about it the staff just gives you that signature "stare" they are known for. Then, on TOP of that there's a (hidden) fee for using a credit card. Like magic, your $20 meal is now $25 before tax, and you haven't even tipped yet. They are so widely considered to be overpriced, it's kind of amazing they haven't figured out that maybe that's actually reducing sales/ profits? Food. This should be #1, but I'm actually okay with some average diner food...if the price reflects it. Unfortunately, for $25 one definitely does NOT get anything resembling that price point - instead, what appears to be frozen chicken fried steak, average gravy (likely from a packet), biscuit that falls apart (not in a good way), overcooked potatoes (also from a bag?) Ambiance/customer Service: this is what happens when someone opens a dining establishment with no experience because it's their "dream", then fails to properly train themselves and/or the young/desperately inexperienced staff on the quite complex world of "hospitality". It's just bad -- and the lack of music, or anything to read (not even the no-cost-to-the-owner Inlander paper) just makes it worse. Perhaps nothing captures the current state of affairs better than the name of their burrito: "The Meat-iocre". I'm fairly certain they were going for "Meat-eoric" -- but it's so fitting that I chose not to say anything. Not all restaurants are destined for long-term success, it seems. Unfortunately, I will have to wait to support this local small business any further until it has new ownership...I've given up on the...

I have eaten there several times, and up to about 6 months ago I always enjoyed it. However, after a couple bad experiences, I decided to post something. I know things cost more these days, but I don't think I ever paid quite so much for a sandwich before in my entire life. My husband and I went there for lunch, we ordered a Prime Rib Dip and a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich (I had the Prime rib dip there before, and it was always great.) This time when I ordered, the gal taking my order asked what side I wanted with my sandwich and gave me three choices. I picked one, got a glass of water, then went and sat at a table and waited for my hubby. When he came to sit down, he said " WOW, Lunch cost $46!!!." After talking about it, we realized the sides cost extra. Come to find out, the 3 ounces of pasta salad and French fries we ordered as our sides were an extra $4.99 each- and was supposed to come with a soda! Well, two things-- One: the gal taking our order should have said that sides are extra rather than just ask what side we wanted because she definitely came across like it was included AND in most restaurants it usually is!!!! Two: The soda dispenser was totally out of order so we couldn't get a soda even if we wanted one! She failed to tell us a beverage was included and offered no other choices or discount since the soda dispenser was out of order. Also, the bread tasted too sweet for sandwich bread and was soggy by the time we got our order. However, on the plus side, it is a unique place and always has beautiful pastries on display. We always want to see a local business succeed, so I just hope they can get their pricing more budget friendly, OR, teach their employees to communicate better so customers know exactly what they are getting for...

I was so excited to try this cute little bakery! I loved the environment and options right when I stepped in. I decided to order a bowl of turkey soup to go. It sounded delicious! When they put the soup on the counter, it was in a tiny container. There is no way it held more than 8 oz, which is one cup. I was shocked that I just paid $8 for a “bowl” of soup. So I exclaimed, wow, that’s a bowl? And the lady that handed it to me was unsure and said, that does not look like a bowl. It looks like a cup. I agreed. She asked the cooks in the back and they said it was a cup. I heard someone ask for them to fill another cup for me. But then another lady (maybe the manager) came in and looked at it. At first she too was confused. Then she decided it was most definitely a “bowl.” She proceeded to tell me that the container held 16 fluid oz. I said, that does not seem possible. She then said it was because the 8 oz containers are even smaller…I’m not sure how you can serve a smaller portion of soup and charge $5 for it. That does not seem fair. So after going back and forth and clear confusion on part of the staff, I accepted my fate. I had just paid $8 for a “bowl” of soup that was most definitely no more than 8 oz. I think I finished it in a total of four spoonfuls… The people seem very kind but I was very unhappy to not get...